Sikes Receives GFA President’s Award

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Vidalia Fire Chief Brian Sikes was presented the President’s Award from the Former Georgia Fire Chiefs’ Association President Charles Wasdin at the City Council meeting on February 14. Wasdin recently completed a three-year presidency of the Association in September 2021, and wanted to honor his friend and colleague with the President’s Award as his parting act. “One of the roles I had as president was to attend our conferences, one in the Spring for just fire chiefs and another in the fall with the Firefighters Association, and give our awards away,” Wasdin explained. “I have the privilege of giving the President’s Award, which is why I would like to present the 2020 award to Chief Sikes of Vidalia.”

Sikes commented on this honor. “I have been working with Chief Wasdin for many years. He was on the interview board when I became Assistant Fire Chief 10 years ago, and he became my mentor when I joined the Fire Chiefs’ Association.” Sikes noted, “He has mentored me many years, but besides that, we are very good friends. We talk often and he gives me advice on things; he is a genuinely good person to have in your life and to receive this award from him means a lot.”

Vidalia firefighters including Assistant Fire Chief Ben Allen, Engineer Justin Butry, Ray Macdonald, and Lieutenant Robert Phelps were also recognized during the meeting for their completion and certification in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF). According to Chief Sikes, these men attended a training seminar at the Savannah- Hilton Head Airport in December to learn more about this specific type of fire fighting.

“This was a rigorous course. They underwent tests, classroom instruction, and hands-on training around the airport,” Sikes said. “The firefighters were taught the basics on aircraft firefighting in emergency situations. In the end of the two-week session, each firefighter took a written assessment to become nationally recognized as an ARFF firefighter.”

Sikes added that Allen received a Squadron’s Challenge Coin for maintaining the highest state average in the course.

Sikes explained that the ARFF skills are now being put into use to protect those who utilize the airport daily. These men stand ready for response at the ARFF truck as all flights come in and out.

GMA Safety Check

Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Artiffany Stanley presented the Council with a safety check of $5,796.53 to be used towards the purchase of safety items including fire bunker suits and fire protective gloves. Stanley explained, “The Safety and Liability Management Program is made available to Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) members who are a part of the GMA Work- continued from page

er’s Comp Program and other liability programs. To be eligible for the grant, the city had to meet specific requirements that are associated with safety efforts and be a part of at least one of the GMA programs.”

Because the city of Vidalia is a part of the GMA Workers’ Compensation Program, they were able to receive this grant.

Roadway Changes/ Improvements

Council members approved the awarding of the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) to McLendon Enterprises to improve Hannah Circle, to work on the tight-of-way at Brookington Apartments, to upgrade Michael Collins Road, and add stop bars at several locations throughout the city.

This project totals $73,235.87, which helps to continue to fulfill the LMIG Grant. Previously, the Council approved McLendon Enterprises to complete $189,472.50 worth of work, which did not meet the requirement of the LMIG funding and the 10% match local government is required to meet. The City of Vidalia received $188,159.51 from the Georgia Department of Transportation, which they must match with $18,815.95, to total $206, 975.46. With the addition of this project, the total LMIG cost comes to $262,708.37, which meets the funding requirement.

The Council also approved the addition of stop signs to create two three-way stops at the intersections of Church and Gwendolyn Streets, as well as Tap and Shenandoah Drives. Council Chairman Loyd Mobley explained this area is highly trafficked by pedestrians on foot, which is why he has been approached by several citizens to request stops be made there for safety purposes. The areas have been surveyed by traffic studies that confirm this change is plausible. The cost for this project will be added to the LMIG Grant Budget. A project was added to the previously passed TIA Band 3 Projects List to include the shoulder widening of Brinson Road to make the roadway safer for truckers. Upon study of the Projects List, City Manager Nick Overstreet found the budget to have an extra $17,000, which is completely comprised of grant money. To drain the ponds surrounding this roadway and complete the work will cost $21,794.75, which Overstreet explains will be mostly absorbed through the TIA Band 3 Projects Budget.

Department Head Reports

Police Chief James Jermon updated the Council on events involving law enforcement, including the return of recent double homicide suspect Joshua Sanders, who had his first appearance in the Toombs County Superior Court on February 11. “He is back in Vidalia, so now we can proceed forward with bringing justice to that crime,” Jermon commented.

He also shared with the Council that he currently has an officer absent from duty because of injuries received from an assault. “I have received information today that the person who assaulted the officer was turned into his probation officer by his father,” Jermon enlightened. “That individual is now in custody at the Toombs County Jail.”

When asked when the officer plans to return to duty, Jermon said the exact date has not been determined. “As far as health-wise, from what we understand, she still has a long road ahead of her,” he commented. “I am in contact with her daily receiving updates and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Fire Chief Sikes thanked Vidalia Police Department for partnering with the Fire Department to give away and install car seats for citizens. He also provided an update on Fire Station 1, which was drastically damaged by a tornado in January.

According to Sikes, temporary housing has been set up at the station site for firefighters to be able to continue to work from this post. One bay on the right side of the fire station has been approved for usage and is capable of housing a single fire truck for the station, while the other bay door has been secured and screwed shut to protect it from any further damage. The roof repair was completed at the beginning of February, and other repairs continue to be made.

ESG Project Manager Tony Hall announced the brown water-flushing project is working as planned, as the number of complaints have drastically decreased to less than five per month.

Recreation Director Scott Strickland informed Council members that recreation baseball and softball sign-ups were a great success, with more than 500 kids enrolling in the leagues.

Vidalia Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Alexa Britton shared that visitors from 22 states and even Uganda had been recorded at the Visitors Bureau. She explained continued from page

that the recent rebranding project continued to make progress, as a new logo for the City has been chosen but is pending because of some small alterations. Logos are also being developed for each city department, as well as for the Onion Festival.

Vidalia Onion Festival Committee Chairman Andy Woodruff told the Council that 90% of the festival’s budget has already been met, ensuring that the festival will be a success. A total of 30 vendors are currently booked to be at the airport, 18 of which have already paid their dues. According to Woodruff, the goal for the number of vendors in this area is 40. In addition to this revenue, concert and air show tickets are already available for purchase through the festival’s website.

Contracts

The Council unanimously approved the increase of the original contract with ESG Operations, LLC by 2.5%, which was already accounted for in the FY22 budget, but needed official action. Passero Associates, LLC. has been hired to complete some airport engineering work to ensure the facility is at its best for the Onion Festival Air Show. Landscaping was also approved for the airport to prepare for the event. After receiving an official letter of request from the Ohoopee Library System, Council members have approved to grant the System $100,000 of Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds as a part of the $3 million renovation.

The Montford Group has been contracted for three years of landscaping services, totaling $463,635, which includes a 3% increase per year, as the initial year costs $150,000 total.

City cemeteries and sidewalks will also now receive an additional two months of grass cutting in March and October if necessary. This increases the annual cost of service by 5%, bringing the total to $40,144.36.

Events

The Pal Theatre will be showing a movie on Harriet Tubman on February 27, while the Chick-Fil-A Run has been approved to occur March 5, beginning at 8 a.m. The Sweeten Your Ride event, which gives people the opportunity to have an onion decal placed on their car, will occur on March 25 and 26, and will raise money for the Young Gentleman’s Club at Sally D. Meadows Elementary School.

ARFF CERTIFIED – Four members of the Vidalia Fire Department were recognized for completion of the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting training and certification. The firefighters use this training daily to ensure safety for the airport traffic. L to R: Firefighter Ray Macdonald, Engineer Justin Butry, Assistant Fire Chief Ben Allen, Lieutenant Robert Phelps, and Fire Chief Brian Sikes.Photo by Makaylee Randolph

SAFETY CHECK – The Georgia Municipal Association granted the City of Vidalia $5,796.53 to be used toward the purchase of safety items. Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Artiffany Stanley (left) presented Mayor Doug Roper (right) and the Council with a safety check at the City Council meeting.